A virtual employee is a full-time employee who works from a different location than your local office or company headquarters. Hiring a virtual employee is an increasingly common business practice as improving technology connects us in more efficient ways.

The sale – with its high-stakes, psychological drama – is a business scenario we often see play out on the big screen. But for entrepreneurs, the scene is very real, and the success of their business often depends on its outcome.

Open offices make it easier to collaborate with colleagues and can even help foster creativity, but sometimes you just need to focus. If you work in an open office or a shared co-working space, learning how to filter out distractions might be the most valuable skill you can learn this year.